Gary Gibson
Carolina out shot Gotham FC 16 to 3 and dominated possession 58 to 42 as they cruised to a 2-0 victory in the opening match of the challenge cup.
Gotham FC, the visitors came in with high expectations. The team was returning 9 of 11 starters from the team that made it to last season's challenge cup final and deep playoff run. Gotham is a team full of veterans of not only the league but of their national teams. This game was a chance for Gotham to announce themselves as a contender not only in the challenge cup but in the league.
North Carolina, according to head coach Sean Nahas was in a retooling phase having lost lynchpins Sam Mewis, Lynn Williams, Jessica McDonald and Amy Rodriguez. The Courage has to rely on young unproven players such as former Gotham player Brianna Pinto. The courage wanted to prove that they were ready to compete with the top teams in the league despite the turnover.
Both teams entered the match minus top players. The Courage were without National Team pool Keeper Casey Murphy (injury). Gotham missing three big pieces up the spine of the team. Allie Long (Excused absence), Kristie Mewis (Injury) and Ifeoma Onumonu (Injury).
For Gotham these injuries were devastating. Allie Long was the Lynch pin of the team that went undefeated in the regular season under new coach Scott Parkinson. Everything Gotham did went through Long as the deep lying 6. Allie was responsible for dictating where the game was being played and was completing 90 plus percent of her passes. Playing in every game but 1 due to yellow card accumulation. Her presence was missed as Gotham struggled to gain possession through the middle.
Ifeoma Onumonu was Gotham's main attacker through most of last season. Often times putting the team on her back while Gotham was without superstars Midge Purce and Carly Lloyd for injuries and national team duties. Onumonu is a big body who can be a target on set pieces and stretch defenses. Gotham struggled this game with hold up play.
The biggest absence for this team was newcomer and national team regular Kristie Mewis. Last season Gotham struggled in transition without a traditional number 10 playmaker. Midge Purce often found herself on an island, having to create for herself. Mewis was the answer to so many questions facing this team going into this season. Mewis can hold the ball up. She can create. A partnership with Midge Purce looked deadly during their time with the national team with Purce assisting Mewis on a goal, showcasing what this partnership could look like.
Without a player who could be the focal point of the attack, Gotham was often playing balls over the top, bypassing the midfield. Midge Purce had to drop back into the midfield to get touches and Courage defensive midfielder Denise O'Sullivan was able to operate without pressure.
Gotham almost got on top in the first 30 seconds of the match as Cameron Tucker gets behind the Courage back line and almost pushes the ball through the keeper Rowland. The courage looked rattled in the first 5 minutes of the match but recovered and found their groove. Former Gotham FC player Brianna Pinto got her revenge after getting her head on a Carson Pickett cross and putting it back across goal and out of the reach of a late diving Harris.
The Courage seemingly put the game out of reach in the second half as Gotham struggled to clear a ball in the box and Abby Erceg blasts a volley that Harris had no chance on.
Gotham failed to get an offensive spark on way to a lackluster defeat on the road. There were few bright spots on the disappointing night. Debuts from Cameron Tucker, Ellie Jean, Taryn Torres and Kumi Yokoyama. The partnership between new coming veteran Allie Krieger and Mandy Freeman looked promising. Krieger showing an exceptional passing range and veteran poise.
Last season North Carolina played a very aggressive 4-2-2-2 formation where they would look to press and transition quickly. Often times ceding possession in favor of hunting and waiting out other teams to make a mistake. Gotham likes to possess and pull teams apart and attacking with precision counters. However, in this game Carolina was patient and composed and allowed Gotham to make mistakes in transition. Flipping the script on Gotham who seemed unprepared to handle the change in tactics.
Gotham falls to bottom of the group after the first leg. The good news is not only are there plenty of chances to right the ship, Gotham has 2 more away games and then three straight to close out the group stage at home at Red Bull Arena.
Gotham FC returns to play Friday March 25th away at the returning champs the Washington Spirit
Comentarios